# Associations of nuptiality perceptions, financial difficulties, and socio-demographic factors with mental health status in Australian adults: Analysis of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey

## TL;DR

This study finds that relationship issues and financial struggles are linked to poor mental health in Australian adults, highlighting the need for policy focus on these social factors.

## Contribution

The study uniquely emphasizes the role of nuptial perceptions and financial difficulties as significant yet under-researched determinants of mental health in Australia.

## Key findings

- 7.1% of participants reported poor mental health, with financial difficulties explaining 3.2% of the variance in mental health scores.
- Nuptiality and relationship factors accounted for 9.8% of the variance in mental health status.
- Negative relationship perceptions and financial difficulties are significant contributors to poor mental health.

## Abstract

This study examined the association of nuptial/relationship factors, financial difficulties, and socio-demographic factors with the mental health status of Australian adults.

Cross-sectional quantitative study design.

Using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey wave 19, 6846 adults were included in the analysis. Mental health was measured using the mental component summary (MCS) subscale of the Short-Form Health Survey SF-36. Hierarchical multiple linear regressions were used to examine the predictors of mental health status.

Overall, 7.1% of the participants reported poor mental health status. Individual financial difficulty factors explained 3.2% (p<0.001) of the variance in mental health scores. In addition, financial difficulties were negatively associated with mental health status. Nuptiality and relationship factors accounted for 9.8% (p<0.001) of the variance in mental health status.

The study suggests negative marital or relationship perceptions and financial difficulties are significant factors accounting for poor mental health. This finding suggests the need for more policy attention toward the social determinants of poor mental health especially nuptiality or relationship perceptions which have received less policy and research attention in Australia.